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In a packed out Premier Suite at the Macron Stadium last night, around 1000 Bolton Wanderers fans voted unanimously in favour of the notion to set up a Bolton Wanderers Supporters Trust.
The Vote, which was met with rousing cheers, came after nearly two and a half hours of fascinating presentations from a variation of speakers. BBC Radio Manchester's Jack Dearden hosted the evening in a jolly fashion and got proceedings underway as he introduced James Mathie of Sports Direct Club Development, an organisation responsible for setting up 190 Supporters Trusts in the UK. Mathie explained what SD's history and what they do, what a Supporters Trust actually is and what they can achieve and finally provided some examples of Supporters Trust successes and ones that aren't doing quite as well.
After that one of the three men mainly responsible for making the meeting happen and, in lacking of a better word, the 'head' of the Supporters Trust Steering Group (a group of people put together by SD to get a Supporters Trust started), Christopher Peacock took the microphone. He explained how the concept of the trust was first put in motion and how in just a month they had gone from nothing to having a packed out meeting. He also detailed what he hopes the Trust can achieve and how they're going about it, all the while thanking everyone for attending and those who helped make it happen and also appealed for anyone and everyone to come forward and offer their skills and help to get the trust off the ground.
Then Ashley Brown, one of the three men of the Portsmouth FC supporters trust and board who came down on their own accord from the South coast to speak, offer advice, answer questions and lend support, took to the stage to detail the mad and fascinating story of the Pompey Supporters Trust and how, after much tribulation, managed to take over their own club.
After Ashley's eye opening presentation the panel was then opened to take questions from the floor. Some questions asked were interesting all were answered from members of the panel to the best of their abilities. Fellow Pompey board members Iain McInnes and Mike Dyer also gave spirited and interesting answers. Though, some fans did use the opportunity on the mic to make a rally cry of their own, rather than actually ask a question.
It's hard to summaries everything that was said in nearly two and a half of hours of nonstop discussion, but I can relay that the feelings from every fan in the room seemed overwhelmingly positive. With the attendance of the likes of Kevin Davies, John McGinlay and Trevor Birch only helping to raise spirits.
So when the vote was finally cast at just before 9:30, it was no surprise at all that every hand in the room raised to the word 'yes' but not a single hand was in the air when 'no' was asked. No doubt the hundreds of people following at home would have voted in favour too.
It's official: Bolton Wanderers supporters vote yes to forming a Supporters Trust. #BWFC pic.twitter.com/uNMjRmb7Ux
— ET (@elliot_turnbull) January 6, 2016
The hard work, however, starts here. If you wish to find out more information or get involved yourself, visit bwfcst.co.uk and follow the Twitter account @BWFCST.